Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-06-18
sclously disappointed that he did not show a

sciously disappointed that he did not show a
warmer interest in her. If, however, We were
to examine into the facts of the case we
should probably discover that this was the
real explanation of the change. Bessie was a
straightforward young woman, whose mind
and purposes were as clear as running water.
She was vexed with John, though she would
probably not have owned it even to herself
in so many words, and her manner reflected
the condition Of her mind.
Bessie" said John one lovely day, just Us
the afternoon was merging into evening
"Bessie"-he always called her Bessie now
II am going down to the black waffle planta.
ton by the big mealie patch. I want to sec
how those young trees are doing. If you
have done your cooking"-for Bessie had been
engaged in making a cake, as young ladies,
to their souls health, often have to do in the
colonies-"I wish you would put on your hat
and come with ME. Idon't believe that you
nave been out to-day"
"Thank you, Capt. Mel" answered Bessie,
looking at him in a bewitching little way she
well knew how to assume, "thank you, but !
think I had rather not 50 out walking" This
was what she said, but her eyes added, II an
offended with you. l want to have nothing
to do with you"
Every well" said John; "then l suppose !
must 60 Alone" and he took up his hat with
the air Of a martyr.
Bessie looked through tho open kitchen
door at the lights and shadows that chased
each other across the swelling bosom Of the
hill behind the house.
at certainly is very tine," she said; "ars
You going far"
"No, only round the plantation"
"There are so many puff adders down there
and l hate snakes" suggested Bessie, by way
of finding another excuse for not coming.
ooh, I'll look after the puff adders-com.
along"
SWELL" she said at last, ~ will come, no
because l want to come. but because 20,
have overpersuaded me. I don't know what
has como to me-" she added, with a little
stamp and u sudden filling of Ter blue eye.
with tears, II do not seem to have any will o.
my own left. When l want to do one thini
and you want ME to do another, it is l wht
have to do what you want; and l tell you
don't like it, Capt. Mel, and I shall he very
cross out walking" and she swept past him
on her way to fetch her hat, in that peculiarly
graceful way that angry women can some
times assume, and left him rejecting that Il,
never saw n more charming or taking lady il
Europe or out of it.
He had half a mind to risk it and ask hel
to marry him. But then, perhaps, she nigh
refuse him. and that was al idea that he di,
not quite take to. After our first youth few
men altogether relish the idea of putting
themselves in u position that gives capriciou
woman all opportunity Of first fgurativel,
jumping on them, and then perhaps holding
them up to the scorn and obloquy of he
friends, relations and other admirers. For
unfortunately, until the opposite is clearl,
demonstrated, many men are apt to believ'
that not a few women are by nature capri
cious, shallow and unreliable; and John Mel
owing, possibly, to that unhappy little cxpe
rience Of his youth, must be rcckone.
among their misguided ranks.